Mechanism of reductive carboxylation in Enoyl-CoA Carboxylases

Carboxylases are biocatalysts that capture and convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) under mild conditions and atmospheric concentrations. However, the molecular control of the gaseous CO₂ molecule during C-C bond formation in these enzymes is only poorly understood. One of the most efficient classes of carboxylating enzymes are enoyl-CoA carboxylases/reductases (Ecrs). Investigation of the reaction mechanism revealed new catalytic principles that lay the base for future development of novel catalytic frameworks for the capture and conversion of CO₂ in biology and chemistry.